by Rafe Arnott
Livio Cucuzza grew up in a hi-fi shop on a side street in Sicily that his father, and grandfather owned. When he managed to save up enough money he plunked it down for a stereo system: A pair of RCF speakers being driven by a Technics stack.
The reason I mention this is because Cucuzza is the chief designer for Sonus Faber (and Audio Research, and Wadia), and what I’m alluding to (in my long-winded way) is that the man has high fidelity chops formed since childhood.
Fast-forward a number of years, and his initial designs when he was applying at SF were rejected by top Faber man Mauro Grange for being too conservative. Cucuzza switched gears, and his next effort eventually turned into the concept for the Aida loudspeaker.
Jump ahead to February 2017, and Cucuzza is at again, this time with a new Sonus Faber speaker line launch at the World of McIntosh townhouse in New York City that saw three new transducers unveiled.
Sonus Faber is calling this lineup Homage Tradition, and it is comprised of the Guarneri Tradition (2-way standmount $15,900 USD w/stands), the completely-new Serafino Tradition (3.5-way floorstander $21,900 USD), and the Amati Tradition (3.5-way floorstander $29,900 USD).
All three models benefit from both patents, and myriad technological solutions that contribute to the Lilium, Il Cremonese, and the Olympica Collection.
Like all Sonus Faber products, this new Homage line exudes bespoke Italian elegance, with a number of key design elements integrated into the design that not only add to the visual beauty of each loudspeaker, but also have practical application; which to me is what great engineering is all about.
There are two finishes for the new line:
RED: Traditional walnut wood essence with black inlays combined with brushed black Aluminum and black leather (much like the flagship speaker designs of the Aida, Lilium and Il Cremonese).
WENGÈ: Wengè wood essence – used for the first time by Sonus faber – with maple inlays (reference to the walnut finish of Olympica collection) with brushed Aluminum in Titanium finish and brown leather.
From the Sonus Faber press release:
“Homage collection has its root in the Sonus faber DNA of highest craftsmanship tradition and excellence in sound performances. Since its very beginning during the Nineties with the first Guarneri and Amati Homage, this collection has ever been the most iconic representation of Sonus faber values. Homage Tradition collection is a new tribute to the mastery of Italian violin-making; the now classic lute shape, the hallmark of Sonus faber production, has been revisited and taken to new heights by embodying both the classic lines of the Homage collection and those of the Lilium cabinet, thus giving new volumes to the speakers of this collection.”
All three speakers will be showing up in dealer’s shops March of 2017, and are available to pre-order now.
Specs:
GUARNERI TRADITION
2-way, full para-aperiodic vented box “Stealth Ultraflex System” and “Zero Vibration Transmission” technology implemented on the dedicated stand, decoupled from the floor, stand mount loudspeaker system.
Tweeter
H28 XTR-04. Sonus faber silk dome 28 mm “Arrow Point” DAD, implemented with a natural wood acoustic labyrinth rear chamber.
Midwoofer
W15 XTR-04. Sonus faber designed 150 mm neodymium magnet system ultra dynamic linearity midwoofer.
Cross-over
Non-resonant design, optimized amplitude/phase response for optimal space/time performance. “Paracross topology”. The impedance at low frequencies is controlled for a clear and friendly amplifier performance.. Highest quality is used in terms of the components: last generation Mundorf “Evo” Oil and Silver/Gold/Oil capacitors, Jantzen inductors.
Cross-over point: 2.500Hz.
Frequency Response: 40 Hz – 35.000 Hz, Stealth reflex included.
Sensitivity: 87 db SPL (2.83V/1 m).
Nominal Impedance 4 ohm.
Suggested Amplifier Power Output: 30W – 250W
SERAFINO TRADITION
3.5 way, full para-aperiodic vented box “Stealth Ultraflex” system and “Zero Vibration Transmission” technology, decoupled from the floor, staggered low frequency floor standing loudspeaker system.
Tweeter
H28 XTR-04. Sonus faber silk dome 28 mm “Arrow Point” DAD, implemented with a natural wood acoustic labyrinth rear chamber.
Midrange
M15 XTR-04. Sonus faber designed 150 mm neodymium magnet system ultra dynamic linearity midrange.
Woofer
2 x W18XTR-08. Sonus faber designed 180 mm lightweight “sandwich” cone structure (high-tech syntactic foam core and two external surface skins of cellulose pulp) woofers.
Cross-over
Non-resonant design, optimized amplitude/phase response for optimal space/time performance. “Paracross topology”. The impedance at low frequencies is controlled for a clear and friendly amplifier performance. Double staggered transfer function low frequency/room interface optimized filter. Highest quality is used in terms of the components: last generation Mundorf “Evo” Oil and Silver/Gold/Oil capacitors, Jantzen inductors.
Cross-over point: 80Hz – 250 Hz – 2.500Hz
Frequency Response: 30 Hz – 35.000 Hz, Stealth reflex included.
Sensitivity: 90 db SPL (2.83V/1 m).
Nominal Impedance: 4 ohm.
Suggested Amplifier Power Output: 80W – 350W.
AMATI TRADITION
3.5 way, full para-aperiodic vented box “Stealth Ultraflex” system and “Zero Vibration Transmission” technology, decoupled from the floor, staggered low frequency floor standing loudspeaker system.
Tweeter
H28 XTR-04. Sonus faber silk dome 28 mm “Arrow Point” DAD, implemented with a natural wood acoustic labyrinth rear chamber.
Midrange
M15 XTR-04. Sonus faber designed 150 mm neodymium magnet system ultra dynamic linearity midrange.
Woofer
2 x W22XTR-08. Sonus faber designed 220 mm lightweight “sandwich” cone structure (high-tech syntactic foam core and two external surface skins of cellulose pulp) woofers.
Cross-over: Non-resonant design, optimized amplitude/phase response for optimal space/time performance. “Paracross topology”. The impedance at low frequencies is controlled for a clear and friendly amplifier performance. Double staggered transfer function low frequency/room interface optimized filter. Highest quality is used in terms of the components: last generation Mundorf “Evo” Oil and Silver/Gold/Oil capacitors, Jantzen inductors.
Cross-over point: 80Hz – 250 Hz – 2.500Hz
Frequency Response: 28 Hz – 35.000 Hz, Stealth reflex included.
Sensitivity: 90 db SPL (2.83V/1 m).
Nominal Impedance: 4 ohm.
Suggested Amplifier Power Output: 100W – 500W.